Crowell Elementary fourth grader Emily Van Gorder will never forget her recent trip to USCG Base Alameda for the commissioning of the USGCS Stratton. First Lady Michelle Obama was in attendance to launch the first Coast Guard cutter to be named after a woman, Capt. Dorothy C. Stratton, who helped establish the Women's Reserve of the Coast Guard in 1944.

The Capital Region Chapter of the American Red Cross, which includes Stanislaus and Tuolumne Counties, is looking for local people who have gone above and beyond in helping their neighbors to honor at the annual Heroes Breakfast.

Students from Turlock Nursery School went on an Easter walk Thursday morning to Willard Anderson's home garden in Turlock. Anderson owns a home near the school, and opened his garden to the students. The trip tied into the student's reading of "Peter Rabbit and the Briar Patch." At Anderson's garden they followed the trails like little bunnies.

California ranks 47th nationally in per-pupil spending and has the largest class sizes in the country. Over the last three years, $20 billion has been cut from schools and more than 40,000 educators have been laid off.

Students from Pitman High's home economics program sewed 30 dresses for donation to the Salvation Army in Turlock. The Kiwanis Club of Turlock bought the material from Cloth and Quilts in Turlock, at a discounted price.

Pitman High School Principal Rod Hollars, Athletic Director Dave Walls, Band Director Rueben Modesto and a host of Pitman High band students and supporters invaded the McDonald's on Geer Road Tuesday evening.